The Bayelsa government has sealed six churches in the state for breaching “operational protocols” required to conduct services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Report has it that the state government on May relaxed its restriction on social gatherings and allowed churches to hold services with up to 50 worshipers.
The relaxation was granted subject to compliance with strict conditions on the provision of handwashing facilities, wearing of face masks and observance of social distancing in the seating arrangements.
Mr Freston Akpor, Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa Ministry of Information, however, told reporters in Yenagoa, that the Security Sub – Committee of the state’s Task Force on COVID- 19, sealed the churches during its surveillance on Sunday, for failure to comply with safety measures put in place by the government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the people of Bayelsa.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the affected churches are, Living Faith Church, Igbogene; Salvation Victory Centre, Igbogene; Shalom International Christian Centre, along Tombia-Amassoma road; and Great Grace Distinguished Assembly, Okutukutu.
Others are Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, Opolo, and Hebrews International Church, Ayama road.
He added that the churches would remain sealed until further notice to serve as a deterrent to other churches.
Mr Akpor posited that the move will help in ensuring that other churches adhere to the protocols on hand washing, use of face masks and social distancing as measures to check the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state.
He said the security sub-committee of the task force on COVID-19, unsealed two churches earlier shutdown for violating safety measures on the pandemic.
Akpor explained that the two churches, the Halleluya Deliverance Ministry International and Embassy Faith churches were unsealed after undertaking to comply with prescribed safety protocols.
RPT/Tim/Monic.
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